Director – Multi Country Office, Yangon, Myanmar

Job Description

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peace-building, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organisations.

Europe and Central Asia Region (ECR) is one of five Regions in UNOPS. ECR strategy is to:

Strengthen UNOPS role in Operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development

Strengthen means of implementation of ECR Global and Regional programmes with revitalised partnerships in Infrastructure, Procurement and Project Management

The Regional Director provides general direction and guidance and establishes the geographical scope of the Multi Country Office. Reporting to and working closely with the Regional Director of ECR, the Director (Multi Country Office) represents UNOPS on behalf of the Regional Director in the countries/offices in geographical scope for the office: Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia Moldova, Pristina, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The Director – Multi Country Office leads and manages all operations under the Multi Country Office. That includes liaison and engagement development activities as well as the delivery of timely and cost effective services for sustainable results by partners and stakeholders. The initial focus of this role is anticipated to be largely on alliance building, networking and advocacy for business development.

The role also assumes overall responsibility for the programmatic oversight of the Water and Energy Cluster.

Summary of functions:

Multi Country Office leadership

Alliance building, networking and advocacy for business development

Service delivery and quality assurance

Representation and inter-agency coordination

Knowledge management and innovation

1. Multi Country Office Leadership

Develop the Multi Country Office strategy, establish priorities and supervise the implementation of programmes and projects, managing the strategic and operational risks associated with the Multi Country Office portfolio of engagements.

In collaboration with the team and partners, establish annual objectives and targets, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and partner oriented services.

Monitor implementation, oversee progress toward annual objectives and take decisions to ensure the delivery of results as planned.

Plan and allocate resources (human, financial and administrative) to achieve goals and ensure financial sustainability in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework.

Operate within the defined limits of authority on matters of Engagements, Partnerships, Finance, Procurement and Human Resources and subject to any limits or conditions that may be imposed as per delegated authority

Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the Multi Country Office management team with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.

Plan, recruit, manage and develop a flexible Multi Country Office workforce with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, and ensure gender and geographical diversity.

Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

Oversee, monitor and direct appropriate measures to maintain the safety and security of UNOPS personnel [and their eligible dependants], assets, property and information within the respective area of responsibility.

In countries where she/he is the most senior UNOPS person in country, in consultation with the UNOPS Chief of Security act as the UNOPS Security Focal Point (SFP) within the country of operation including participating actively in the Security Management Team (SMT) and perform duties on security as outlined in the Framework of Accountability in the UN Security Management System Policy manual.

Support the Regional Director, ECR by providing supervision, oversight, risk management and assurance of programmes within the Water and Energy Cluster (WEC).

2. Alliance building, networking and advocacy for business development

Keep abreast of and assess the needs of national governments and other UNOPS partners operating in the geographical coverage area, to identify and plan with them areas for leveraging UNOPS services/competencies in project service delivery and management that will facilitate their achievement of sustainable results.

Actively represent UNOPS’ role and participation in UN common engagement tools.

Build and strengthen strategic partnerships in the geographical coverage area through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management to develop opportunities and engagements with new partners.

Keep Regional Director informed/advised on opportunities and/or challenges and risks to strengthen UNOPS capacity for programme management and business development in the geographical area.

3. Service delivery and quality assurance

Monitor and supervise the overall timely and cost-effective delivery of the Multi Country Office programme(s) according to partner expectations, approved budgets and full cost recovery.

Take overall responsibility for financial decisions, and exercise financial control, to ensure the fiscal health/sustainability of Multi Country Office programme(s), including compliance with financial report submissions.

Provide advice to the Regional Director, peers and Country Managers on opportunities, to further enhance UNOPS’ sustainable contribution to the achievement of results in the geographical area.

Establish internal performance and quality control systems for the Multi Country Office, including tracking, monitoring and reporting on project delivery and financials.

Evaluate performance to measure efficacy and alignment of Multi Country Office with organizational/regional strategy and compliance with UNOPS standards of accuracy, transparency and accountability, and ensure that service delivery reinforces business development objectives.

Represent UNOPS in the UN Country Team (UNCT), and supports the UNCT programming and advocacy activities.

Participate actively and effectively in UNCT meetings, and contributes to the formulation and implementation of United Nations Development Assistance Framework/One Programme, Integrated Strategic Framework, and Delivering as One within the country of the main office for the Multi Country Office.

Is accountable to the Resident Coordinator for actions as part of the UNCT, makes substantial contribution to UNCT’s work, and assumes a leadership role as relates to UNOPS’ mandate.

Participate in UNCT initiatives to strengthen UN coherence, inclusiveness, and aid effectiveness, including playing an active role in the Operations Management Teams (OMTs) and other senior management group of the country team.

Keep UN Resident Coordinator abreast of UNOPS activities within the country through regular communication, including a formal regular reporting on business acquisition and implementation of activities led by UNOPS as part of the UNDAF.

5. Knowledge management and innovation

Lead the development and introduction of innovation to ensure UNOPS is continually incorporating best practices approaches in the delivery of project services.

Ensure the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.

Lead the planning, implementation and organisation of capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders.

Establish priorities, in consultation with the Regional Director, for targeted investments in growth and innovation and as a member of the UNOPS global management team, contribute to identification and implementation of innovation and continuous improvement in support of organisational excellence and world-class performance.

Share knowledge with peers in other regional/country teams and corporate practice groups to ensure a corporate coordinated delivery of services and synergies.

A master’s degree is required, preferably in one of the following disciplines: international affairs, international relations, international development, development economics, development studies, business administration, management, project management, social sciences, or other related discipline.

A minimum of 10 years of experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in international development, business development, operations and/or program management in a large international and/or corporate organisation.

At least 5 years of senior leadership experience including supervising teams and managing budgets

Experience working in developing countries is desirable

Other Requirements: Willingness to travel. Position is expected to entail heavy travel to locations within the geographical scope of the Multi Country Office and occasional travel to other UNOPS offices.

Full working knowledge of English and Russian is essential

Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Work life harmonization – UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types

For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.The location of the position in Europe is to be determined based on a number of business factors and what is optimal for the best execution of the role, whilst taking into consideration the preferences of the selected candidate.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.